Abadan; a city in Iran with 330,000 inhabitants. Situated on the island of Abadan in the River of Arvand Roud (shat el arab) in the south-western corner of Iran. KhorramShahr is a neighbouring town with about 150,000 inhabtants on the west bank of the Karun River, where it enters the Arvand Roud (shat el arab), close to the border to Iraq.

Prior to the war, Khorramshahr had grown extensively to become one of the world's major port cities, with a predominantly wealthy, upper class population, and along with Abadan, the prevalent culture was that of modern Iranian cosmopolitanism.

In September 1980, Abadan was almost overrun during a surprise attack on Khuzestan by Iraq, marking the beginning of the Iran-Iraq War. For 18 months Abadan was besieged, but never captured, by Iraqi forces.

By the end of the war, Khorramshahr had been completely decimated by Saddam Hussein's forces, with very few buildings left intact. Other major urban centres such as Abadan and Ahvaz were also left in ruins, though nowhere nearly as bad as Khorramshahr. The city of Khorramshahr was one of the primary and most important frontlines of the war and has thus achieved mythic status amongst the Iranian population.

Petroleum production is the main activity of these cities, Oil is transported from the Iranian oil fields in the north, through pipelines, to Abadan.

The economy of Abadan and especially Khorramshahr is still largely affected by the destruction and depopulation in the 1980-88 war. When the city was captured by Saddam almost all of the population fleed.

The first historical traces of Khorramshahr are reports of a port on the premises of the future Khorramshahr that dates back to 331 BCE.

From the 8th century until 1924 the city was named "Mohammerah" and was ruled as a autonomus mini-state until 1924 when the local ruler was abolished and the city renamed Khorramshahr.

Apparently, Abadan and Khorramshahr are part of a freezone called Arvand Freezone.

Some related news articles:

Quote:

LONDON, December 19 2005 (IranMania) - Arvand Free Zone is ready to attract more domestic and foreign investments; The zone's boundary is officially defined this year and the new policy promotes more privatization and less government monopoly, executive director of Arvand Free Zone Organization Morteza Mamuii told the Persian service of ISNA.

Arvand Free Zone Organization will be employing the services of foreign consultants in trade sector as well as planning for a comprehensive tourist business, he stated, adding that the budget allocation stands at 60 bln rials for this year, a 100-% leap over the previous fiscal year.

The money will be used for construction of airport, expo center, water and sewage, industrial parks, and commercial and passenger terminals, Mamuii elaborated.

Moreover, the second oil stock branch is going to be established in this zone based on the National Security Council's agreement and government's approval, authorizing NIOC (National Iranian Oil Company) to invest two bln dollars in Arvand Free Zone.

According to the laws and investment amendments approved by legislative body in support of such activities, we welcome all domestic and foreign investors to Arvand for safe and sound business ventures, he said in conclusion.

Quote:

Abadan, Khuzestan Prov, Dec 9 2005, IRNA.

Chinese firm Bian Bia Gong has announced its readiness to make investments in Iran's Arvand Free Trade-Industrial Zone to manufacture electronic and home appliances, as well as textiles and shoes.

Managing Director of China Market Investment Group told IRNA about the news Friday, while visiting Arvand Free Zone, adding, "Bian Bia Gong is determined to make investments in Shalamcheh (a part of Arvand Zone) in those fields." He added, "According to estimates made by our investment company the project is in need of thirty-three hectares of land in which we would construct 2,500 booths, the factories, workshops and residential units for our workers.

The Chinese official said, "The required investment for the project is US $75 million, fully guaranteed by our investment company."
he added, "If we gain the required licenses in time, the project would be clicked in 2006 and it would become fully operational in 2011."

The managing director of the Chinese investment company said, "Keeping in mind the conditions of the two countries, making this market operational would not only strengthen our bilateral economic ties, but also create new jobs for some fifteen thousand Iranians."

__________________
sixty years ago, upon the invitation of the Russian Red Cross, Princess Ashraf Pahlavi, twin sister of the Shah of Iran, went to see Stalin in order to demand the retrieval of Soviet invading forces from Iran. The princess entered the Kremlin where she pleaded with great passion for the liberation of Iran, her motherland. Impressed by her courage, Stalin became all smiles. He said loudly to his rather stern entourage: "Now here is a brave and true patriot." Pravda, June 28, 1946.

ma bacheye abadanom, laf nemizanam.
I wish all of you could have experienced Abadan before revolution and war, in the 60s and 70s. It was one of the best places to live on earth.
If I had a choice to live in Iran, Abadan of 70s would have been my second choice after Tehran.